Trading-in mobile for iPhone 4 could pay off when abroad

17/12/2010

People who travel abroad regularly could benefit from the decision to trade-in a mobile and upgrade to the iPhone 4 the next time they are stuck for how to speak in another language.

The Daily Mail reports a new app has been released that translates vocabulary literally while a consumer watches.

WordLens takes advantage of the model's built-in camera to scan words and offer direct translations at the touch of a button.

For now, the app works only in Spanish, but developers are expected to roll out updates to incorporate numerous other native tongues.

As well as common phrases and questions, the tool can also be put to use on signs and instructions, which could be invaluable when in a foreign country.

The camera is fixed to switch any words to another language as soon as they are scanned into it.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver recently suggested apps are "more brilliant" than books, T3 reported.

Posted by Claire Marshall